Incumbent mayor faces challenger in Havana

Mayor Dale Roberts will face off against challenger Greg Cox for the city's top spot in the April 7 election.

[Becky D]

It's interesting to read how there is one open seat on the school board with no candidate running for it. I remember this time two years ago when this blog was in an uproar over changing out folks on the City Council and School Board. Nothing changed after the new ones took office, and now with the School Board, no one is interested in even running for an uncontested seat. Interesting indeed. Best of luck to all the candidates!

[lala]

what does the school board got to do with this topic??????

[Becky D]

If you would take the time to read the entire article on PJStar.com , you would see that it also discusses the other contested seats in this race, including City Council and School Board. So THAT's what the school board has to do with this topic. My pleasure to answer your question, lala!Nothing is interesting about the mayoral race. We all know who will win by a CLEAR margin.

[lala]

sorry beck my mistake didnt see it.

[Greg Cox]

Becky D let me know who it is I really don't want to wait till the 7th.

[BEC]

Please tell us all Greg if you are a wonderful candidate why did you fail to return your questioneer?

[Greg Cox]

Thanks for asking. I did and it was submitted to the democrat at the same time I submitted the add that was on page four of the democrat. It seems to me that the add made it but the answers did not. Seems odd to me does it to you?
But I will tell you what was written.
First "What experience do you have"
answer: I am forty years old and was born right here in Havana. I have lived here all my life. With the exception of working in Springfield as a paramedic for two years and working at the Illinois Department of Corrections for 18 months, I have always worked in Havana. I worked in the E/R and ambulance with Mason District Hospital, I worked for the Havana Fire and Rescue as the Assistant Fire Marshal overseeing the budget and scheduling of full time employees, I worked as a police officer and was promoted to Sergeant for the Havana Police Department, and I have a local business.
With working in Havana all my life as well as living here all my life I have come to know many people. I have worked with many different people on various issues or concerns that they had. I have served as an alderman for two short years however I have worked on solving problems on a full-time basis for more than 16 years in the City of Havana.
Second "What is your vision for the City of Havana":
I would like to see Havana revitalized in the industry and service fields. I support any business that may come to Havana, however I am against the City putting up the cost and HOPEING for a business to pay us back. We first need to support what business we have and work with them to build them up if possible. We need to look outside the local area for business to bring in and work with them in a sensible manner to get them here without putting us in debt as the hotel property has done. Most of all we need to turn our attention to infastructure. I can only believe that the business will come if we have good streets, water, sewer, drainage, and services for them.
Now if you would like to know more about any specific subject BEC just ask and I will be more than happy to answer.
GREG

[BEC]

whatever Greg you aren't able to run a CLEAN restraunt or a cellular phone store let a lone a town!!

[havana]

Well Greg I hope you make it for MAYOR. Put a new face in there, and hope this town can start booming withjobs and other things.. Instead of everything leaving town... Its Havana its who you no.. always has been and always will be... VOTE GREG COX MARCH 7TH..................

[Greg Cox]

BEC
Sorry that you feel that way about me and any venture I have taken in my life that you don't agree with.

Havana
Thank you for the positive post.

[Ted Connolly]

I have received the informational questionnaire mayoral candidate Greg Cox provided to the Mason County Democrat on Friday, April 3rd. This informational response was not published and was listed as he had not returned his information. The following is the actual submitted document:

Wendy,

You already know most of the things about me, I was born in Havana and have lived here all my life. I worked as a medic on the ambulance and in the emergency room at Mason District Hospital from 1986 - 1993. I was a police officer from 1990 - 2006. I was elected alderman in 2007 filing a seat once held by my grandfather Cookie Harris. I have been a local business owner since 2004.

I believe that Havana can go far with the right leadership. A city the size of Havana has to take the extra step to compete with other city's and town's our size. To do so a strong economic development strategy is needed however it must not be a one or two year plan, it must be a look down the road. No one person or one board can accomplish this but it is possible with the involvement of the citizens of Havana and the surronding area. We must all work together on many spurs including business development of ALL sizes, industry, tourism, and to revitalize our downtown area. As mayor I will work hard at getting new business in Havana, but we must work equaly as hard to maintain every business we have even if it only supports one job.

Havana should be a place people want to bring thier children to live and goto school. The park district, school board, hospital board, and the City Council need to work together to accomplish that. Havana should be a place people will enjoy visiting and learning about. To accomplish this we must work on our business and tourism retention, our infastructure, our image as an aspiring city. The money Havana has should be spent wisely and openly to best build our city up. I would like to lead Havana into producing a 1 in 5 year plan for budgeting, development, and infastruture instead of the year by year we work on now.

Thanks,
Greg

[Just Wondering]

I will vote for Greg- atleast he lives in Havana..where does the current mayor live?..he can't do worse than the one we have now! wake up and quit being blind. if you don't like his place then don't eat there. don't like his phone service- don't use it..quit bitching and you run for mayor,atleast he has some ideas of what needs to be done.I agree with most things said on 62644.com - and the democrat does publish what it wants not what needs to be printed..go figure..

[Sarahmae]

To Just Wondering....

The present mayor does live in Havana.

[DEC]

Just Wondering, youre nuts. Dale Roberts lives on south Plum and most people know that. For those of you trying to call out the Democrat on being biased, what about Greg and 62644.com ? Everyone knows that Greg Ted and Charlie all have it out for the current city government because of bitter past experiences. I'm sure they spend all day at the Chuckwagon gossiping about anyone who wont let them have their way. Sorry, but I dont want the City of Havana to end up "For Sale" on Ebay! You don't have to vote for Dale either. Write in a name if u want, just don't send our town down he drain!

[Ted Connolly]

To DEC and all: There is one statement in DEC's post that you may not immediately recognize as being False or intentionally misleading. Writing in a name when you vote will cancel your entire ballot and YOUR VOTE WILL NOT BE COUNTED. According to the Illinois State Board of Elections, you can only write in a vote if that person has registered as a write in candidate. You also may not vote for more than one candidate unless told to do so. Regardless of your choice, VOTE, it is your right many have died for, make your vote count.

See the information below from the State Elections Board:

Read the instructions and be especially mindful of the number of candidates to vote for in each office. Be aware that if you vote for more candidates than the number to be elected, it is considered an over-vote and none of the candidates for that office will receive a vote.

You are not required to cast a vote in all offices. If you skip an office, an under-vote will be registered for that office; however, an under-vote cannot be traced to any individual voter. Over-voting or under-voting an office does not affect the rest of your ballot.

You may cast a write-in vote for a candidate whose name is not on the ballot. Write the name of your candidate on the blank line provided directly at the end of the list of candidates for that office. Complete the arrow or fill in the oval next to the name of your write-in candidate. A write-in vote will not be counted for any candidate who has failed to file an Intent to be a Write-in Candidate as prescribed by law.

[Sarahmae]

There are no provisions for write ins on tomorrow's ballot.

[Ted Connolly]

Regardless who your favorite candidate is please take a few minutes of your day to VOTE.

[Citizens of Havana]

Congratulations DALE!!!!!!!!!!

[Greg Cox]

I would like to say Thank You to everyone who supported me during the election.